Best Player of the Year
Lauren Palangio, Senior, Forward, Norwin
For teams to play the challenging schedule that the Norwin girls had this season, they must have skilled players to compete accordingly.
Lauren Palangio was one of those players for Norwin, bringing multiple strengths to the court, including traditional post play, big-game experience, and suffocating defense.
The 6-foot-1 senior forward played an important role for Norwin in a run to the WPIAL Class 6A championship and PIAA quarterfinals.
Her contribution to the team’s success earned her TribLive Westmoreland Girls Basketball Player of the Year honor.
Greensburg Central Catholic standout Erica Gribble also was considered.
Palangio, who will play for Holy Family, averaged 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Knights (23-4).
Palangio, who shot 56.4% from the field, had 12 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in a 56-41 victory over North Allegheny in the WPIAL championship.
“Lauren may not be the flashiest player in high school basketball, and the average person may not notice her,” Norwin coach Brian Brozeski said, “but for people who understand the game of basketball and people who know there is more to the game than points, Lauren is hands down the most dominant all-around high school basketball player in our area. Her career stats are indicative of her dominance against the top-end talent.”
Norwin’s four losses came against Spring-Ford (twice), Wheeling Park, and Kennedy Catholic.
Spring-Ford was the PIAA 6A runner-up.
Wheeling was a state champion in West Virginia, while Kennedy Catholic won the PIAA 2A title.
“This season was definitely my most memorable here at Norwin, and I think all of my teammates would say the same thing,” Palangio said. “We exceeded expectations of many by winning the WPIAL and making a good state run again. Obviously, we always have bigger goals, but I would say we accomplished most of our team goals.
“Everyone, including myself, fit into our roles really well this year and accomplished many personal goals.”
Palangio finished her career with 932 points, 716 rebounds, and 282 blocks.
First team
Kendall Berger
Junior, Guard, Norwin
Up-and-coming shooting guard provided scoring ability for WPIAL 6A champions. … Averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 steals for the Knights (23-4).
Avery Davis
Senior, Guard, Greensburg Central Catholic
Part of talented backcourt that led GCC to a WPIAL 2A championship and PIAA semifinals. … Wheeling commit averaged 10.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, and made 58 3-pointers.
Erica Gribble
Sophomore, Guard, Greensburg Central Catholic
One of WPIAL’s top 2026 guards and a 1,000-point career scorer, she powered GCC to a WPIAL 2A championship and run to the PIAA semifinals. … Averaged 19.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.1 steals, and made 74 3-pointers.
Hailey Johnson
Senior, Forward, Monessen
A strong presence in the paint for the Greyhounds, a Class A playoff team, she averaged 9.2 points and 13.2 rebounds, plus 2.2 assists and 2.6 steals. … Finished career with 1,003 rebounds and 783 points.
Kaitlyn Mankins
Senior, Forward, Greensburg Salem
A top skilled post player in 4A, she averaged 13.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals for the Golden Lions, who reached the WPIAL 4A quarterfinals. … Committed to D’Youville (N.Y.), she shot 50% from the floor and scored 889 career points.
Autumn Matthews
Senior guard at Yough
Had her best season after switching to point guard for the Cougars. … Averaged 17.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game playing in 3A.
Mya Morgan
Senior guard at Greensburg Central Catholic
Key guard for WPIAL 2A champions and PIAA semifinalists, she averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks a game. … Committed to Cal (Pa.), she made 45 3-pointers.
Olivia Pepple
Senior guard at Penn-Trafford
One of the better all-around players in the WPIAL, she averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 turnover a game. … Committed to Gannon, she finished fifth in program scoring and third in 3s (99).
Elle Snyder
Senior guard/forward at Latrobe
A guard who excelled around the basket this season, she averaged 19.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals for a 5A playoff team. … Committed to Evansville, she had 18 double-doubles and finished with 1,097 career points.
Second team
Ava Christopher
Sophomore guard at Norwin
Riley Gesinski
Senior guard at Mt. Pleasant
Ashley Hosni
Senior forward at Hempfield
Ava Kobus
Senior guard at Norwin
My’Asia Majors
Senior forward at Monessen
Lauren Marton
Junior forward at Penn-Trafford
Addison Musto
Junior guard at Franklin Regional
Sarah Podkul
Senior guard at Hempfield
Ashlan Price
Senior guard at Greensburg Salem
Bailey Snowberger
Senior guard at Norwin
Third team
Grace Arrigo
Sophomore forward at Mt. Pleasant
Carley Berk
Junior guard at Latrobe
Madison DeRiggi
Junior guard at Franklin Regional
Cara Dupilka
Senior guard at Greensburg Central Catholic
Jane Huss
Junior guard at Derry
Marlee Miller
Senior guard at Ligonier Valley
Olivia Orndoff
Senior guard at Franklin Regional
Kamryn Pieper
Junior guard at Penn-Trafford
Kenzi Seliga
Senior guard at Belle Vernon
Venicia Vignoli
Senior guard at Jeannette
